Holder apparatus for elongated implement

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for holding a shaft of an elongated implement is described, the apparatus may comprise a body having a first side opposite a second side, the first side and the second side separated by a width; retention of the shaft at the body; accommodation of at least one finger of a user&#39;s hand formed through at least one of the first side and the second side.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This application discloses claims and embodiments generally related to aholder apparatus for an elongated implement, and more particularly, aholder apparatus for an object having a shaft, including the striker ofa game-calling apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Several products and inventions have been proposed in order to achievethe goal of holding an elongated implement such that the other hand maybe free to grasp or hold other objects. The art includes many suchattempts and improvements. For example, there are many devices orassemblies for providing a way to hold a strike-plate of a game-callassembly in such a way that is relatively hands-free, including U.S.Pat. No. 5,716,254 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,463, respectively. However,the art does not appear to disclose the combination of elements andfeatures disclosed herein, including the novel combination of elementsand/or materials disclosed hereinafter. In particular, the art does notdisclose a holder apparatus for an elongated implement, such as astriker for a game-call assembly, in a manner that permits the user tooperate and hold both the striker and the plate with a single hand. Assuch, an improvement to the field is presently available and appears tobe desirable and useful.

This application presents claims and embodiments that fulfill a need orneeds not yet satisfied by the products and inventions previously orpresently available, including the example of the art presented above.In particular, the claims and embodiments disclosed herein describe anapparatus, assembly, system and/or method that provide an unanticipatedand nonobvious combination of features distinguished from the productsand inventions preexisting in the art, including combinations ofmaterials. The applicant is unaware of any product, disclosure orreference that discloses the features of the claims and embodimentsdisclosed herein, and as more fully described below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus for holding a shaft ofan elongated implement is described, the apparatus may comprise a bodyhaving a first side opposite a second side, the first side and thesecond side separated by a width; means for retaining the shaft at thebody; means for receiving at least one finger of a user's hand formedthrough at least one of the first side and the second side; andretaining means transversely oriented to receiving means.

In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus for holding agame-calling striker is described, the apparatus may comprise a bodyhaving a first side opposite a second side, the first side and thesecond side separated by a width a channel formed through the width ofthe body, the channel receiving the shaft of the striker; and a wellformed in at least one of the first side or the second side of the body,the well accommodating at least one finger of a user.

In accordance with another embodiment, a game-calling apparatus isdescribed, the apparatus may comprise a plate; a striker; and astriker-holder comprising: a body having a first side opposite a secondside, the first side and the second side separated by a width a channelformed through the width of the body, the channel receiving the shaft ofthe striker; and a well formed in at least one of the first side or thesecond side of the body, the well accommodating at least one finger of auser.

In each of the embodiments described above, and for other embodimentsnot specifically described but contemplated and/or within the scope ofthe descriptions herein, the apparatus may further comprise a surfaceformed at an end of the body adjacent the receiving means, the surfacecommunicating with the anterior phalangeal area of at least one finger.The surface may comprise an arcuate sweep, wherein the sweep may runbetween the first side and the second side, or may run between the topof the sides to the base of the sides, or may run as a combination fromfirst side to second side and from the top to the base of the sides.

In each of the embodiments described above, and for other embodimentsnot specifically described but contemplated and/or within the scope ofthe descriptions herein, the apparatus may comprise retaining meansformed through the width of the body. Retaining means may comprise aconcentric bore traversing the height of the first side and the secondside and the width separating the sides. In such an embodiment,retaining means may further comprise a flexible, pliable and returnablyresilient bushing accommodating strikers of various diameters.

In another embodiment, retaining means may be coupled to the body of theapparatus. Retaining means may comprise a clip of numerous varieties,including spring-biased clips, or other mechanical clips having a biasfor closing on the shaft of the implement or striker. In anotherembodiment, retaining means may comprise a tether of numerous varieties,including rubber banding or other returnably resilient material,adjustable loop or noose arrangements using metal or plastic wire, hempor other suitable material, or other similar devices and apparatuses forattaching and securing one item to a body.

In each of the embodiments described above, and for other embodimentsnot specifically described but contemplated and/or within the scope ofthe descriptions herein, receiving means may comprise a surface formedto communicate with the anterior phalangeal area of at least one finger,the surface having an arcuate sweep from the first side or the secondside. In another embodiment, receiving means is formed through the firstside and the second side. In one embodiment, receiving means maycomprise a well bound by a concave surface or forming a depression,wherein one side is open and provides interior access and the other sideis bound with no interior access. In another embodiment, receiving meansmay comprise a well unbound at either side through which access may begained at either side. In another embodiment, the well may comprise anarcuate sweep communicating with the anterior phalangeal area of atleast one finger of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an anterior view of a human hand;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the holder apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the holderapparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the holderapparatus retaining a striker of a game-call striker unit;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the holder apparatus retaining thestriker; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a game-call striker assembly having astriker, a plate and a holder apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Generally, FIG. 1 discloses a hand “H” in anatomical position so thatthe palm “P” is at the anterior and the back of the hand (not shown) isat the posterior. The hand “H” has five digits (D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5).The anterior phalangeal area (APA) of several digits are identified assuch in FIG. 1.

With reference to the figures, specifically FIG. 2 through FIG. 6, andin accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus for holding a shaft ofan elongated implement 10 (generally denoted as “apparatus 10”) isdescribed, the apparatus 10 may comprise a body 12 having a first side14 opposite a second side 16. The first side 14 and the second side 16may be separated by a width 18. The shaft “S” of the implement may beretained by the body 12 by a channel 20, or alternatively a device 22,such as a variety of clips, returnably resilient bands, fabric bands,wire (metal, plastic), hemp or other suitable materials for boundingabout the shaft “S” for retention by the body 12. The body 12 may becontrolled by a well or depression 24 formed in the body 12. The well ordepression 24 may be bound by a surface 24′ so that access to aninterior portion of the body 12 is limited to the single openingprovided by the well or depression 24. In another embodiment, the wellor depression 24 may be unbound so that an opening is provided on eitherthe first side 14 or the second side 16 of the body 12. The channel 20,or device 22, is configured so that the general orientation and axialdirection of the shaft “S” is parallel to the plane of the first sideand the second side.

The body 12 may further comprise a surface 26 formed at an end of thebody 12 adjacent the well or depression 24. The surface 26 communicateswith the anterior phalangeal area (APA) of at least one finger. Thesurface may comprise an arcuate sweep, wherein the sweep may run betweenthe first side and the second side, or may run between the top of thesides to the base of the sides, or may run as a combination from firstside to second side and from the top to the base of the sides. It isenvisioned that the body 12 may comprise an additional surface 28opposite to the surface 26 characterized by similar features, includingone or more arcuate sweeps as described above. In one or moreembodiments, one or both of the surfaces 26 and 28 may further comprisea plurality of surface features 30 for enhancing the grip or contact ofthe user's APA to the surface(s) 26 and/or 28. The surface features 30may comprise raised or dimpled areas, embedded or applied texturedmembers, or other similar devices, apparatuses or features that mayenhancing grip and control of the body 12.

In an envisioned alternate embodiment, the body 12 may comprise twosegments or portions mutually coupled to form a body 12 consistent withthe body 12 as described in the preceding paragraphs. The coupling ofthe two segments may be achieved by a variety of means, including theuse of a mechanical fastener, a friction-fit or snap-fit configuration,a temporary adhesive arrangement, or another suitable apparatus orcombination of apparatuses. It is envisioned that the segments orportions are divided so as to bisect the channel 20 approximatelyhalf-way between the points of ingress and egress formed in the top andbottom surfaces of the body 12. Therefore, in one envisioned embodiment,the segments or portions may be mutually coupled so as to tighten aboutthe shaft of the striker inserted through the channel 20.

As but one example of use, the user may generally insert the first digitD1 (depicted as the thumb) into the well or depression 24. The seconddigit D2 (depicted as the index finger) may be wrapped about the firstside 14, the surface 26 and to or near the second side 16, wherein thesurface 26 generally communicates and engages the APA of the seconddigit. With the channel 20, or device 22, securely holding the shaft “S”of the implement, the second digit D2 may manipulate (with or withoutthe aid of the first digit D1) the apparatus 10 so that a reciprocatingmotion of the striker 100 and shaft “S” is realized. Digits D5 and D4,and possibly D3, may be utilized to cup the striker-plate 102, firmlysecuring the striker-plate 102 into a position for engagement with theend of the striker 100 when manipulated via the apparatus 10.

As depicted in FIG. 6, it is also envisioned that the apparatus 10 formsan element of an assembly or unit for a game-calling set. As depicted,the apparatus 10, the striker 100 and the striker-plate 102 are orientedto show the relative alignment of the three elements. Generally, only astriker 100 and striker plate 102 are utilized, wherein the end of thestriker 100 communicates and moves across the striker-plate 102,generating an audible game call sound. In some product embodiments knownin the art, the striker 100 is grasped in one hand and the striker-plate102 is grasped in the other hand, and the two are brought intocommunication with one another. In later improvements, the striker-plate102 has been equipped with some form of mounting device for attachmentto a user's limb or other object, freeing one of the user's hands. Bycontrast, in the disclosed embodiments previously described, the striker100 and striker-plate 102 may be grasped entirely in one hand, by aid ofthe apparatus 10, and utilized to generate an audible game-call sound.One advantage to this arrangement, and using a right-handed person as anexample, a hunter may hold the weapon of choice in the left hand andgrasp the apparatus 10 retaining the striker 100 therein and thestrike-plate 102 entirely in the right hand. The user may move the thumband/or index finger in such a manner to generate a reciprocating motionso that the striker 100 reciprocates across the top surface of thestrike-plate 102, thereby generating the desired audible game-callsound. The arrangement further allows the user to quickly approach thetrigger of the weapon with the index finger without having to place orstow the assembly (i.e. apparatus 10, striker 100 and strike-plate 102).It is envisioned that a hunter could quickly utilize the apparatus 10and the assembly such that the hand is near the trigger area of theweapon, and the user generates the call-sound, and be in a quickposition to engage the trigger (firing the weapon) on the game beingstalked if it were to appear quickly. The aforementioned arrangement andnature of use permit the hunter to confidently and safely operate theweapon and the game-call assembly with apparatus 10 and obviating theneed to use the game-call, stow it safely, sight in the prey and repeatthis sequence again and again.

It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limitedin its application to the details of construction and arrangement of thecomponents set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings.Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of theembodiments envisioned, but the claims are not limited to the specificembodiments. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are furthercapable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways, including various combinations and sub-combinations thatmay not have been explicitly disclosed. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for thepurposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting theclaims.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theconception upon which the application and claims are based may bereadily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods,and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments andclaims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, thatthe claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especiallyincluding the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patentand legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursoryinspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of theapplication. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims ofthe application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of theclaims in any way. It is intended that the application is defined by theclaimed appended hereto.

1. An apparatus for holding a shaft of an elongated implement, theapparatus comprising: a body having a first side opposite a second side,the first side and the second side separated by a width; means forretaining the shaft at the body; means for receiving at least one fingerof a user's hand formed through at least one of the first side and thesecond side; and retaining means transversely oriented to receivingmeans.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a surface formedat an end of the body adjacent the receiving means, the surfacecommunicating with the anterior phalangeal area of at least one finger.3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the surface comprises an arcuatesweep.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein retaining means is formedthrough the width of the body;
 5. The apparatus of claim 8 furthercomprising a bushing accommodating strikers of various diameters.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein retaining means is coupled to the body. 7.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein retaining means comprises a clip. 8.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein retaining means comprises a tether. 9.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein receiving means comprises a surfaceformed to communicate with the anterior phalangeal area of at least onefinger, the surface having an arcuate sweep from the first side or thesecond side.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein receiving means isformed through the first side and the second side.
 11. An apparatus forholding a game-calling striker, the apparatus comprising: a body havinga first side opposite a second side, the first side and the second sideseparated by a width a channel formed through the width of the body, thechannel receiving the shaft of the striker; and a well formed in atleast one of the first side or the second side of the body, the wellaccommodating at least one finger of a user.
 12. The apparatus of claim11 further comprising a surface formed at an end of the body adjacentthe well, the surface communicating with the anterior phalangeal area ofat least one finger.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the surfacecomprises an arcuate sweep.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein thewell comprises an arcuate sweep.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, whereinthe well is formed through the first side and the second side.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the well comprises an arcuate sweep. 17.A game-calling apparatus comprising: a plate; a striker; and astriker-holder comprising: a body having a first side opposite a secondside, the first side and the second side separated by a width a channelformed through the width of the body, the channel receiving the shaft ofthe striker; and a well formed in at least one of the first side or thesecond side of the body, the well accommodating at least one finger of auser.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a surface formedat an end of the body adjacent the well, the surface communicating withthe anterior phalangeal area of at least one finger.
 19. The apparatusof claim 18, wherein the surface comprises an arcuate sweep.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the well comprises an arcuate sweep. 21.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the well if formed through the firstside and the second side.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein thewell comprises an arcuate sweep.